New Outdoor Education Program Brings Hands-On Learning to Lander Middle Schoolers

In Lander, middle school students lost access to hands-on outdoor science education when their longtime Yellowstone program ended with a teacher’s retirement. Recognizing that the Wind River region offers unique opportunities to study local geology, ecology, and wildlife, the director of the Popo Agie Conservation District reached out to LOR with a plan to create a more sustainable replacement program by launching the Wind River Outdoor Education program. The program culminates in a two-night experience at Whiskey Basin, where 90 sixth graders will learn about archery physics, bighorn sheep ecology, and Leave No Trace principles. This collaborative effort involves multiple partners—including Game and Fish, the National Bighorn Sheep Center, and NOLS—ensuring the program won’t depend on a single teacher and can continue long-term. Students pay just $30 for lodging (with district support for those who need it), while the school district commits to budgeting for future years, creating a sustainable model for place-based outdoor education. LOR’s funding will help cover meals, adult lodging, and permits.